Daniel Parr commitment gives FAU great QB depth

Coach Charlie Partridge was already looking forward to having three quarterbacks on his roster this season. With the commitment of Dwyer High School’s Daniel Parr, Partridge can look forward to having a quartet of quality signal-callers to choose from in 2015.

Parr, who is No. 9 on the Palm Beach Post Big Board heading into his senior season, is one of the top recruits landed so far by Partridge, who is living up to his reputation as a top-notch recruiter in South Florida even before he coaches his first game.

The Owls have two quarterbacks coming back from their 6-6 season in 2013: Jaquez Johnson, who accounted for more than 2,500 yards (1,876 passing, 772 rushing) and 22 touchdowns (12 passing, 10 rushing) as a sophomore starter last year, and Greg Hankerson, who passed for 484 yards and three TDs and rushed for another 124 yards.

While Johnson has the inside track, Partridge has made no commitment to him as the starter and has even left the door open for incoming freshman Jason Driskell to compete for the job. Driskell, the brother of Florida quarterback Jeff Driskell, had some impressive moments while working with the backups in the FAU spring game.

Parr won’t be a part of the conversation this year. But after passing for more than 3,000 yards and throwing 30 TD passes against just four interceptions while leading Dwyer to a state championship as a junior, his shadow will be ever-present going forward.

Securing a verbal commitment from Parr also figures to help other facets of FAU recruiting going forward. Knowing the QB position is going to be in good hands, recruits on the offensive side of the ball will be more inclined to sign on than they would be otherwise.

FAU begins fall camp on or about Aug. 1 in preparation for the season opener at Nebraska on Aug. 30.